Store fixture



May 17., 1966 R, A. NIEKAMP ET AL 3,251,458

STORE FIXTURE Filed Jan. 8, 1964 |||||ll|lllllllllllllllm"-% m:

l 32 36 W 80 Q5 29 77 38 88 9 0 22 34 1, i 20 POW ER 97 ML 23 SUPPLY 90 NVENTORS RICHARD A. NIEKAMP ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,251,458 STORE FIXTURE Richard A. Niekamp and Ralph Hill, Dayton, Ohio, as-

signors to Standard Dayton Corporation, a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 336,576 6 Claims. (Cl. 198-232) This invention relates to' a store fixture. The invention relates more particularly to check-out counter apparatus or structure for use in a retail supermarket or the like.

This application is related to copending application Serial No. 37,932, filed June 22, 1960, now Patent No. 3,129,804, in which the inventor is one of the inventors herein.

In the field of retail merchandising known as supermarket merchandising, articles are selected by the customer and are brought to a check'out counter at which a clerk is stationed. The clerk has a cash register or the like upon which to record the price of articles of merchandise. It is, of course, important that the clerk record the price of each and every article of merchandise.

Therefore, at check-out counter should have means which require that the check-out clerk manually engage each and every article of merchandise so that the clerk is cognizant of each item which passes to the customer.

Also, it is important that the check-out counter have means which permit the check-out clerk to check the merchandise with the least amount of effort.

' In the supermarket type of retail merchandising, numerous types of articles are available for purchase by a customer. The articles may vary from a rather heavy item such as a box of soap or the like to a very light article such as a toothbrush or magazine or the like. It is important that the check-out counter apparatus operate properly with any of the various types of items.

It is also very important that check-out counter apparatus operate in complete safety to both the check-out clerk and to the customers or others who may come in contact with the check-out counter apparatus.

Thus, an object of this invention is vto provide checkout counter apparatus or structure for'retail merchandising in which articles of merchandise are carried to a location within the reach of a check-out clerk and in which each of the articles is automatically stopped at a location at which the clerk is required to manually engage each article of merchandise for recording the price thereof. A

Another object of this invention is to provide control "apparatus for a check-out counter whch is extremely sensitive to indicate the presence of an article of merchandise, regardless of the weight or size or shape of the article.

tion of parts, the combination thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become 'more apparent from the following description.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of FIGURE 1. matically motor means and control means therefor for a conveyor belt associated with this invention. FIGURE 2 shows an item of merchandise being moved by the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 2. However, FIGURE 3 shows another position of operation of the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURES 2 and 3, showing another position of operation of the apparatus of this invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, a store fixture of this invention comprises a conveyor belt 20 which is carried and moved by any suitable cylinder, drum, or roller means 22. A motor 23 for operation of the belt 20 is shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 2 connected to the cylinder 22 for rotation thereof. However, movement of the conveyor belt 20 may be produced by any other suitable means.

In accordance with this invention, the motor 23 for rotation of the drum or roller member 22 is preferably of a type known as a brake motor which is capable of very rapid stopping by braking action within the windings of the motor 23. The motor 23 may be of the type disclosed in Patent No. 2,627,059 which is owned by the assignee of this application. However, any other suitable motor means may be used for operation and/or stopping the conveyor belt 20.

The cylinder or drum 22 rotates in the direction shown by an arrow 24 in FIGURE 1 so that the upper surface Another object of this invention is to provide checkof the belt 20 moves to the left, as shown by an arrow 25 in FIGURE 1.

Suitable. support structure 28, including a section 29, is used to support a rigidly mounted base plate 30. The base plate 30 has a back portion 32 which is shown as being flush with a bagging portion 34 of the support structure 28. The base plate 30 is also shownas having a sloping portion 36 and a substantially horizontal portion 38. The sloping portion 36 is intermediate the back portion 32 and the portion 38. The portion 38 rests upon the section 29 of the support structure 28.

The base plate 30 also has an upwardly extending flange 41 at a portion of the base plate 30 which is adjacent the conveyor belt 20.

FIGURE 1 shows bolt or screw members 46 or the like which may be used .to secure the portion 38 of the base plate 30 to the section 29 of the support structure 28. However, any other suitable means of attachment may be employed.

A shelf 50 is shown as having a main portion 52 and an offset portion 54. A pin 56 or the like pivotally attaches the offset portion 54 of the shelf 50,t0 the portion 38 of the base plate 30. The main portion 52 of the shelf 50 normally rests upon the flange portion 41 of the base plate 30.

As shown FIGURES 2, 3, and 4, a stud 58 is attached to the shelf 50 and extends through an aperture 60 in the portion 38 of the base plate 30. The stud 58 FIGURE 2 shows diagramhas a head 62 which is larger than the aperture 60 so that upward pivotal movement of the shelf 50 is limited by engagement of the head 62 with the portion 38 of the plate 30. It is to be understood, however, that any other suitable means may be used to limit pivotal movement of the shelf 50.

The shelf 50 has an edge 63 which is positioned close to the belt 20.

A shelf 70 is supported upon a bracket 72 adjacent the shelf 50 and is pivotal about a pin 74 or the like. Resilient means such as a spring 76 or the like encompasses a protuberance 77 carried by the portion 38 of the base plate 30. The spring 76 is disposed intermediate the portion 38 of the base plate 30 and the shelf 70 and normally urges pivotal movement of the shelf 70 in a direction away from the base plate 30.

The shelf 70 has an edge portion'78 which is adjacent the sloping portion 36of the base plate 39. The edge .por-

tion 78 is engageable with the sloping portion 36 upon downward pivotal movement of the shelf 70. The edge portion '78 of the shelf 70 may be arcuate as shown.

Carried by the portion 38 of the base plate 30 below the shelf 70 is an electrical switch device 80 provided with a plunger 82 which is in engagement with the shelf 70. Carried by the portion 38 of the base 30 below the shelf 50 is an electrical switch device 84 which is provided with a plunger 86 which is in engagement with the shelf 50.

For purposes of illustration, electrical wires 88 are shown extending from the electrical switch device 80 and are connected to a control unit 89 of the motor 23 which drives the conveyor belt 20.

Electrical wires 90 extend from the electrical switch device 84 and are also connected to the control unit 89. Electrical wires 91 join the control unit 89 to a source of electrical energy. Wires 93 join the control unit 89 to the motor 23. However, it is to be understood that the switch units .80 and 84 may be connected directly to the motor 23 or that any other type of switch means may be associated with the .shelf members 50 and 7.0 to control operationof the motor 23.

The plunger 86 of the electrical switch device 84 is normally depressed when the shelf 50 is resting upon the flange 41 of the base plate 30 as shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3. When the plunger 86 is in this depressed position, contacts (not shown) of the switch device 84 are closed or the switch 84 is in a condition to cause the motor 23 to operate through the control unit 89. Resilient means within the switch device 84 urge the plunger 86 upwardly. When the shelf 50 moves upwardly, the plunger 86 moves upwardly and the contacts of the switch device 84 areopened.

The plunger 82 of the electrical switch device 80 is normally in an extending position from the electrical switch device 80 when the shelf 70 is in its position as shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and 4. When the plunger 82 is so extended, the contacts (not shown) of the switch device 80 are closed or the switch 80 is in a condition to cause the motor 23 to operate through the control unit 89. The shelf 70 is pivotally movable downwardly so that the edge 78 of the shelf 70 engages the sloping portion 36 of the base plate 30, as shown in FIGURE 3. When the shelf 70 is positioned in the manner shown in FIGURE 3, the plunger 82 is depressed and the contacts of the switch 80 are opened.

Operation The electrical switch devices 80 and 84 are so connected to the control unit 89 of the motor 23 that the motor 23 drives the conveyor belt 20 continuously. However, when the plunger 86 moves upwardly, causing opening of the contacts of the electrical switch device 84, the control unit 89 causes the motor 23 to stop. Also, when the plunger 82 of the electrical switch device 80 moves downwardly, causing opening of the contacts of the switch device 80, the control unit 89 causes the motor 23 to stop. Thus, upward movement of the shelf 50 and/or down- Ward movement of the shelf 70 immediately stops operation of the motor 23 which drives the conveyor belt 20.

Normally, during a check-out operation the drum 22 is continuously operated by the motor 23 in the direction of the arrow 24 shown in FIGURE 1 so that the upper surface of the conveyor belt 20 moves to the left as shown by the arrow 25 in FIGURE 1. The conveyor belt 20 thus is normally moving in a direction to carry articles of merchandise to the shelf 50.

As shown in FIGURE 2, an article of merchandise 92 is moved by the conveyor belt 20 to the shelf 50. Preferably, the shelf 50 is slightly inclined from the belt 20 toward the shelf 70, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. Thus, the article of merchandise 92 slides upon the shelf 50 toward the shelf 70 so that a portion of the article 92 rests upon the shelf 70, as shown in FIGURE 3.

Due to the fact that the contacts of the electrical device 84 are normally closed and open only when the plunger 86 moves upwardly, movement of the article 92 upon the shelf 50 has no effect upon the operation of the conveyor belt 20. However, when the article 92 or any portion thereof moves onto the shelf 70, the shelf 70 pivotally moves downwardly as shown in FIGURE 3, causing downward movement of the plunger 82 of the electrical switch device 80. Thus, the contacts of the electrical switch device are opened, causing the motor 23 to stop so that the conveyor belt 20 immediately stops.

FIGURE 3 shows another article 94 of merchandise upon the conveyor belt 20. Of course, when the conveyor belt 20 stops, movement of the article 94 also stops.

A-check-out clerk who is positioned adjacent the shelf 70 must manually engage the article 92 for movement of the article '92 to the left and off of the shelf 70 so that the shelf 70 can pivotally move upwardly. The contacts of the switch 80 are thus again closed and operation of the motor 23 resumes to continue movement of the conveyor belt 20. Thus, the article 94 is moved to the shelf 50 and to the shelf 70. Thus, each article of merchandise moved by the conveyor belt 20 moves to the shelf 70, causing downward movement thereof and stopping the conveyor belt 20 until the article is moved by the checkout clerk off of the shelf 70 toward the bagging section 34. As previously stated, it is extremely important that check-out counter apparatus be completely safe for opera tion so that a check-out clerk or customer or any person coming in contact with the check-out counter cannot be injured. FIGURE 4 shows a persons finger 96 which might be carried inadvertently or other wise into the space intermediate the edge 63 of the shelf 50 and the conveyor belt 20. Such positioning of a persons finger 96 as shown in FIGURE 4 causes upward pivotal movement of the shelf 50, permitting upward movement of the plunger 86 of the electrical switch device 84. When the plunger 86 of the electrical switch device 84 moves upwardly as shown in FIGURE 4, the contacts of the electrical switch device 84 are opened, immediately stopping the motor 23 which drives the conveyor belt 20.

Such upward movement of the shelf 50 which stops the motor 23 also occurs if an article of merchandise should become positioned between the shelf 50 and the conveyor belt 20.

As previously stated, the motor 23 which drives the conveyor belt 20 is preferably of the brake motor type so the motor 23 is braked to a stop instantaneously when either of the switch members 84 or 80 is operated.

From the above discussion it is understood that the apparatus of this invention requires that a check-out clerk manually engage each article of merchandise for the checking thereof. Due to the fact'that the check-out clerk does not need to lift any merchandise, in that only sliding of the merchandise is required for movement of the merchandise by the check-out clerk, a minimum amount of manual and mental effort by the check-out clerk is required.

' Also, the apparatus of this invention includes means for protecting a person who may come into contact with the apparatus.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof, and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed:

1. Check-out counter apparatus comprising:

an endless conveyor belt,

a pivotal first shelf, .the first shelf being normally substantially horizontal and having an edge portion adjacent the conveyor belt, said edge portion being movable upwardly with pivotal movement of the first shelf,

the conveyor belt having an upper surface which normally moves toward the first shelf and which is in substantially the same plane as the first shelf,

a second pivotal shelf, the second pivotal shelf being disposed adjacent the first pivotal shelf and normally positioned in substantially the same plane as the first shelf, the second shelf being pivotally movable upwardly from its normal position,

motor means joined to the conveyor belt for operation thereof, the motor means being normally in operation,

control means operably connected to said shelves and to said motor means, the control means stopping the motor means when the first shelf is pivotally moved upwardly, the control means stopping the motor means when the second shelf is pivotally moved downwardly.

2. Article transfer apparatus comprising:

a conveyor belt provided with an upper surface,

a first pivotal shelf, the first pivotal shelf being adjacent the conveyor belt and in substantially the same plane as the upper surface thereof, the first shelf having an edge portion which is normally spaced closely to the conveyor belt, the edge portion being movable in a direction away from the conveyor belt with pivotal movement of the first shelf,

motor means operably connected to the conveyor belt and normally continuously moving the upper surface of the conveyor belt toward the first shelf,

control means operably connected to the first shelf and to the motor means and stopping the motor means when the edge portion of the first shelf is moved in a direction away from the conveyor belt,

a second pivotal shelf, the second pivotal shelf being disposed adjacent the first pivotal shelf and normally in substantially the same plane as the first-pivotal shelf,

control means operably connected to the second pivotal shelf and to the motor means and operable to stop the motor means when the second pivotal shelf is pivotally moved.

3. In check-out counter apparatus for a supermarket or the like, endless movable conveyor belt structure inc'luding a rotatable drum over which the conveyor belt moves, the belt having an upper portion,

a pivotally mounted first shelf, the first shelf being disposed adjacent the conveyor belt and the drum so that a portion of the belt is intermediate the first shelf and the drum, the first shelf being in substantial'ly the same plane as the upper portion of the conveyor belt, the. first shelf being pivotal about a portion thereof which is spaced from the belt so that an edge of the first shelf is movable toward and away i from the belt as the first shelf pivotally moves, resilient means urging pivotal movement of the first shelf in a direction away from the belt,

a second shelf, the second shelf being adjacent the first shelf and substantially in the same plane as the first shelf, the second shelf being pivotally movable about a portion which is adjacent the first shelf,

-resilient means urging upward movement of the second ture, the support means being adjacent the conveyor belt and in substantially the same plane as the upper surface thereof,

the motor means operating the conveyor belt so that the upper surface thereof moves toward the support means,

the support means having a plurality of portions, there being a portion closely adjacent the conveyor belt, said portion being movable in a direction away from the conveyor belt,

control means operable by movement of said portion of the support means in a direction away from the conveyor belt, said control means being operably connected to the motor means to stop operation thereof when said portion of the support means is moved in a direction away from the conveyorbelt,

the support means having a portion which is movable in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the upper sunface of the conveyor belt,

control means connected tothe motor means and operable by said movement of the last said portion of the support means to stop operation of the motor means.

5. A store fixture comprising:

support structure,

an endless conveyor belt, the conveyor belt having an upper surface,

motor means for operation of the conveyor belt,

shelf means adjacent the conveyor belt and in substantially the same plane as the upper surface thereof,

the motor means operating the conveyor belt so that the upper surface thereof moves toward the shelf means,

the shelf means being attached to the support structure, the shelf means having a plurality of portions, there being a portion closely adjacent the conveyor belt, said portion being upwardly movable,

control means operable by upward movement of said portion of the shelf means, said control means being operably connected to the motor means to stop operation thereof when said portion of the shelf means ismoved upwardly,

the shelf means having a portion spaced from the conveyor belt, said portion being downwardly movable,

control means connected to the motor means and operable by downward movement of said downwardly movable portion of the shelf means to stop operation of the motor means.

6. A store fixture comprising:

support structure,

an endlessv conveyor bolt, the conveyor belt having an upper surface,

motor means for operation of the conveyor belt,

shelf means adjacent the convey-or belt and in substantially the same plane as the upper surface thereof,

structure, the shelf means having a plurality of portions, there being a portion closely adjacent the coneyor belt, said portion being upwardly movable, the shelf means having a portion which is downwardly movable, control means connected to the motor means and operable by downward movement of said downwardly movable portion of the shelf means to stop the motor means, the control means also being operable by upward movement of said upwardly movable portion of the shelf means to stop the motor means.

References (Jited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,109,210 2/1938 Dunlop 198-16 2,862,599 12/1958 Sinden 19816 3,129,804 4/1964 Niekamp 198-37 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD A. SROKA, Examiner. 

1. CHECK-OUT COUNTER APPARATUS COMPRISING: AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR BELT, A PIVOTAL FIRST SHELF, THE FIRST SHELF BEING NORMALLY SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL AND HAVING AN EDGE PORTION ADJACENT THE CONVEYOR BELT, SAID EDGE PORTION BEING MOVABLE UPWARDLY WITH PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE FIRST SHELF, THE CONVEYOR BELT HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE WHICH NORMALLY MOVES TOWARD THE FIRST SHELF AND WHICH IS IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PLANE AS THE FIRST SHELF, A SECOND PIVOTAL SHELF, THE SECOND PIVOTAL SHELF BEING DISPOSED ADJACENT THE FIRST PIVOTAL SHELF AND NORMALLY POSITIONED IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PLANE AS THE FIRST SHELF, THE SECOND SHELF BEING PIVOTALLY MOVABLE UPWARDLY FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION, MOTOR MEANS JOINED TO THE CONVEYOR BELT FOR OPERATION THEREOF, THE MOTOR MEANS BEING NORMALLY IN OPERATION, CONTROL MEANS OPERABLY CONNECTED TO SAID SHELVES AND TO SAID MOTOR MEANS, THE CONTROL MEANS STOPPING THE MOTOR MEANS WHEN THE FIRST SHELF IS PIVOTALLY MOVED UPWARDLY, THE CONTROL MEANS STOPPING THE MOTOR MEANS WHEN THE SECOND SHELF IS PIVOTALLY MOVED DOWNWARDLY. 